Dinosaurs dominated the land and the first birds appeared. Pangaea split into Laurasia and Gondwana as the Atlantic Ocean began to open.
Explore the Jurassic Earth in 3D →~80% of species went extinct, caused by Central Atlantic Magmatic Province volcanism. Dinosaurs rose to dominance in terrestrial ecosystems after this event.
In the early Jurassic, a vast Large Igneous Province erupted across present-day South Africa and Antarctica. Massive volcanic outgassing contributed to ocean anoxia and marine extinctions. It is linked to hotspot activity during the early breakup of Pangaea and was a precursor to the opening of the early Atlantic.
In the early Jurassic, Pangaea began splitting into Laurasia (north) and Gondwana (south). The Atlantic Ocean began opening, laying the foundation for modern continental arrangement.
Archaeopteryx evolved from feathered dinosaurs. An iconic fossil bridging dinosaurs and birds, marking the beginning of powered flight in this lineage.